Congratulations, Lizzy Nyoike: MSR Celebrates a Contributing Writer Who Earned Two Degrees Before Most Finished Their First Semester
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder celebrates contributing writer Lizzy Nyoike on earning two Associate of Arts degrees from Normandale Community College debt-free through PSEO, and on her continued journey as a journalism and political science student at the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, on track to graduate in less than a year.
Lizzy Nyoike graduated high school in 2024 and walked away with two associate degrees before most of her peers had finished their first semester elsewhere. She did it debt-free, on her own terms, and with a clear vision of where she was going.
As a PSEO student, Nyoike was already two semesters from finishing two associate degrees when she faced a choice: leave for an out-of-state school with credits that might not transfer, or stay and finish what she started. She stayed.
“Having something tangible that I could hold onto, even pursue a job while still completing my education, was what inspired my choice,” Nyoike said.
Balancing a full-time seasonal job and a full course load her freshman year was demanding, but Nyoike learned early that self-care wasn’t optional. Weekend trips, quiet Sundays at home, intentional silence… These became her reset.
“There’s so much chaos and noise going on around us,” she said. “It’s very important that we create a safe haven for ourselves to just allow our minds to think and process.”
She completed both degrees at 19 without paying a dollar out of pocket, funded entirely through scholarships she applied for and earned. She is now a journalism major with a political science minor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, on track to graduate in less than a year.
At MSR, Nyoike contributes the Black Business Spotlight and What’s Hot series, along with freelance reporting. She plans to continue her education beyond her undergraduate degree.
“Celebrate every success,” she said. “Even graduating from a community college, there is someone who wishes they were walking that stage. The small things can be great successes, too.”